Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar

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Context

• Ramesh Karthik Naik, a 26-year-old writer from the tribal thanda of Vivek Nagar of Nizamabad district, recently received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Telugu.
• Naik's short story collection titled "Dhavlo" (Song of Lament, 2021) earned him the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, making him the first tribal author from Telangana to receive this honor.

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar

• The Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, commonly referred to as the Yuva Puraskar, is a prestigious literary honor bestowed by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters.

Establishment and Purpose

• Inception: Instituted in 2011, the Yuva Puraskar aims to recognize young writers of exceptional literary works in one of the 24 major Indian languages.
• Target Audience: It specifically targets writers under the age of 35, acknowledging their talent and potential in the literary field.

Recognition and Encouragement

• Encouraging Young Talent: The primary objective of the Yuva Puraskar is to encourage and promote young writers, providing them with a platform to showcase their literary prowess.
• Financial Support: Recipients of the Yuva Puraskar are awarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, serving as a form of financial support to further their literary endeavors.

Award Components

• Cash Prize: The Yuva Puraskar includes a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, intended to recognize the recipients' contributions to literature and support their future endeavors.
• Copper Plaque: In addition to the cash prize, awardees are presented with an engraved copper plaque, symbolizing their achievement and recognition by the literary community.

Significance and Impact

• Promoting Literary Excellence: By acknowledging young writers for their outstanding works, the Yuva Puraskar plays a crucial role in promoting literary excellence and innovation.
• Inspiring Future Generations: The recognition bestowed by the Yuva Puraskar serves as inspiration for aspiring writers, motivating them to pursue their literary aspirations with diligence and dedication.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Why is it important to promote literary excellence and innovation among young tribals in India? Discuss the role of initiatives like scholarships, mentorship programs, and literary awards in nurturing creativity and providing platforms for expression.

SOURCE: THE HINDU